Did I hear anyone saying that healthy food is bland and boring?
Well, I hope to change your mind with this recipe of mine.
When I went to the farmers’ market last week, I got some courgettes and was thinking of boiling them with carrots for a healthy salad. As I usually buy lots of vegetables from the farmers’ market I made lots of other salads and forgot about the courgettes.
When I found them in the refrigerator 3 days later I was wondering what to prepare with them as a light dinner. I had some anthotyro (low fat cheese) which needed to be used as well as the other ingredients so I made this recipe. It’s a simple recipe with courgettes and potatoes, flavoured with a mint pesto and topped with a faux bechamel sauce. If you can’t find these Greek low fat cheese, you may use 300 grams ricotta mixed with 100 grams feta.
Mint pairs well with courgettes and with the cheeses, which gives a wonderful taste to the dish. If you don’t like mint, you can make a pesto with your favourite herb, such as basil, parsely, fresh oregano, green onions, etc.
I didn’t know what exactly to call this dish as it’s something between a Moussakas and a pie, we make in Greece without phyllo. As it is layered with vegetables and the batter is more like a cream, I was inspired to call it a millefeuilles.
It’s very easy to make and you can prepare it from the previous day and refrigerate it or you can freeze it if you like and cook it whenever you like. It’s easy, impressive, healthy and delicious and can be served as a side dish, or a healthy main dish with some salad.
If you have leftovers, it’s even better when it’s cold as the flavours meld together.
When preparing the recipe I did not have enough cheese, otherwise I would have added an extra layer of thin slices of anthotyro between the potatoes and courgettes.
If you are following the Mediterranean diet just make sure that you are within the servings mentioned regarding eggs, cheese and potatoes for you weekly intake.
The recipe is included in my cookbook Mint, Cinnamon & Blossom Water, Flavours of Cyprus, Kopiaste!
Kopiaste and Kali Orexi!
Tags: Courgettes, Cypriot cookbook, Greek cheese, Greek Herbs, healthy recipes, Kopiaste.. Flavours of Cyprus, Mediterranean diet, pesto, Potatoes
That looks quite good Ivy and it definitely sounds healthy. It's great that you are being so health-conscious … we all need to change our eating habits for the better.
Une assiette de chef.
J'aime tout ce qu'il dans la tourte et le tout est une magnifique assiette estivale.
Bravo!!!
I was just thinking to prepare a tourte or pie type dish for dinner tonight so i might just out this recipe of yours Ivy! I love all the healthy dishes you have been sharing lately! I appreciate them alot – so does my waistline =)
A splendid recipe! I really love the idea.
Cheers,
Rosa
this is a wonderful recipe! And I agree with you: healthy food can be sooo tasty, if you are creative.
This looks just like the thing we would love. Diet and vegetarian food can be very tasty. All it needs is a little creativity and inspiration like yours.
Looks great Ivy, nice and light. Now that it is getting hotter, the perfect dish.
I'm definitely a fan of the mint/courgette taste combo. This looks delicious!
I'm licking my lips Ivy…what a wonderful creation! You are providing great inspiration with your healthy dishes!
hi Ivy:: very nice and healthy dish ! the pastry makes me mouthwatering !! Hello from Paris Pierre
Ivy, anything tastes great when it's wrapped, covered, coated or rolled with filo pastry tastes super!
salut ma chère ivy
ce que tu nous proposes m'a l'air vraiment délicieux moi qui adore les légumes je prendrai un vrai plaisir à le réaliser et le déguster
par contre je jamais essayé le pesto de menthe ça doit être très parfumé
bonne soirée
My family is absolutely going to love this dish, bookmarking to make very soon!
There is no way healthy food is bland and boring!
I have been cooking a lot of healthy food for a while now and they were all tasty and yummy like this recipe of yours. And still managed to lose about 20 lbs. Hooray! This recipe looks awesome. I would love to try it.
This looks fantastic Ivy! I'm bookmarking this to make with fresh courgettes from my garden.
a very interesting and delicious recipe!
I like the Mediterranean flavours in this! The mint pesto would be really nice with it.
Ivy
This is one recipe I would salivate over and over it sounds so full of my favorite flavors and light too! Perfection!
Very nice, Ivy. I would definitely like to taste a slice.
I'm just beginning to learn about Greek flavor combinations. This appeals to me! I can't wait to give it a try! A few more weeks and all of the ingredients will be available…well, except for the cheeses…I'll have to do some subbing there! Thanks for sharing and best of luck at the Joust!